Getting to grips with gases

A good understanding of the particulate nature of matter is essential for any student to grasp complex topics including entropy, equilibria and kinetics. Although primary school pupils typically learn about the behaviour of particles in different states of matter, with further reinforcement at 11-14 level, many able students still show poor understanding which inhibits progress at post-16 level.

Chiu and colleagues investigated students' understanding of the behaviour of particles in gases, and compared the results with teachers' predictions. The research centred on a computerised test which included dynamic elements which reveal characteristics of gas particles in some questions, allowing students to then select which representation most closely matched their own perception.